Point Park's Gabe McNeal named KIAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week

PITTSBURGH -- Point Park University junior guard Gabe McNeal was named the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for averaging 26.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg with 59.5 percent field goals from Jan. 28-Feb 3.

McNeal, a 6-1 native of Richmond, Va., had two big games to lead Point Park (12-9, 6-7 KIAC) to a 1-1 showing in a pair of KIAC road games last week. McNeal had 29 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in an important road win at Cincinnati Christian, 83-70, last Friday, Feb. 1. He was 11 of 20 from the field, 2 of 5 from long range and 5 of 6 from the foul line.

The transfer from NCAA Division II Shaw (N.C.) University followed that up with 24 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a 100-96 loss at IU East the next day, Saturday, Feb. 2. McNeal had a very hot shooting day connecting on 11 of 17 (65 percent) from the floor and 2 of 6 from outside the arc.

It was the second time this year that McNeal was named KIAC Player of the Week. He also won the award on Jan. 7, the week after he became a starter for the Pioneers. McNeal has played in all 21 games with 14 starts, including the last nine games in a row.

Since he became a starter nine games ago, McNeal is averaging 24.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg with 54% field goals and 41% from 3-point range. The Pioneers are 6-3 in that stretch. For the year, he is fifth in the KIAC in scoring with a team-high 17.4 ppg. McNeal is shooting 49% overall and 39% from the outside for the season.

McNeal and the Pioneers have three games remaining, with the next one being at home Feb. 9 vs. Berea (Ky.) at 2 p.m.

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